A personal message

Hello, everyone.  In addition to my usual blog, today I want to let you know that I’m leaving the Catholic Church.

I’ve tried very hard to accept the masculine language for God, and the exclusion of women from all positions of power and authority within this denomination. However, I can’t manage this any longer: I just don’t agree with these traditions, and this creates unacceptable stresses in my life.

There are also other significant issues of Catholic doctrine I don’t accord with at all. Perhaps it would have been easier if I’d had a “good”, Catholic upbringing, instead of an emotionally abusive one, but that didn’t happen. I have to live with the consequences, and manage them as best I can.

Next Sunday I hope to visit an Episcopalian Church, as I painfully continue my spiritual journey and personal development in God’s hands.

Slowly, I am learning that a lonely, but honest life in spiritual darkness is preferable to suppressing my deepest beliefs in order to “belong” to a group.

Meanwhile, I will continue to do my very best to share what I experience and learn here in my blogs with those who are interested.

With love from Ruth xxx

Now here is today’s prayer: In anguish

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV).

You care about the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7; NLT).

Jesus, in my anguish,
And Jesus, in my joy;

Jesus, in my darkness,
And Jesus, in my light;

Jesus, in my silence,
And Jesus, in my prayers;

Jesus, in my suffering:
You, Lord, are my life.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).